Nicosia's Chameleon (Furcifer nicosiae), Kirindy Forest, Madagascar

Description:

Furcifer nicosiai has only been described in 1999 (Jesu et al., 1999). This species is probably endemic to the tropical dry forests of western Madagascar. Beside its type locality (Tsingy de Bemaraha), it is currently only known to occur in Kirindy Forest. Kirindy Forest is a privately managed conservation area, ca. 40 km north-east of the town of Morondava. Not part of the official National Park System of Madagascar, this 120 sqkm area was earlier operated as an experimental sustainable timber harvesting scheme. Fortunately, this has not left indelible scars and the site is now considered as one of finest remaining examples of endemic western dry deciduous forest.